Even Gaga Would Call it a “Bad Romance”

As girls, there’s one itty bitty thing that got screwed up in our chromosomes. Any time we see a slightly attractive male we automatically throw ourselves in their direction like a piece of freakin’ meat. We instantly get big, googly eyes, say things that we should be keeping to ourselves, and completely freak the eff out our potential soul mate.

It’s hard to remember that guys, unlike us, aren’t very complicated specimens. They typically have one thing running through their minds when they meet us (hint: it starts with an “s” and ends in “ex”), while we already have the wedding and future children’s names picked out by the time introductions are over.

We’re hopeless. Hopeless romantics, that is. We want a love like “The Notebook,” but it usually ends up looking more like “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”…without the happily ever after.

Let’s not let Matthew McConaughey’s beautifully sculpted abs get away from us this time. No, don’t tie your man down and lock him in your closet (unless he’s into that sort of thing). All you have to do is avoid scaring him away. Easy, right?

Here are four things you should avoid if you want your happily ever after.

The Inevitable “Too Much, Too Soon” Question of Doom. “Where do you see us going?” I just messed up on this one too so don’t feel like you’re the only one.Everything may be “X’s and O’s” before you pop the question but it’s all down-hill from there. For some reason, guys don’t like the “C” word. No, not that. They love that. We’re talking about commitment here, people. Even thinking about the word will send him sprinting for the door. Live in the moment and enjoy being together. You’ll eventually get to change your relationship status on Facebook, but until then, keep your mouth shut.

You’re Clingier Than Saran Wrap. You need to stop the urge to be with your boy 24/7. If you’re constantly texting him “I miss you” anytime you’re away from him or stalking him from outside his bushes at night, you’ve gone too far. You have to actually give him a chance to miss you. If you don’t, he’s going to feel like he’s trapped. They will come back if you keep your distance— I promise.

Me, Me, Me. Yes, you’re pretty great, and obviously he already knows that if he’s on a date with you. That means you don’t need to tell him about all those cross country trophies you’ve got, a detailed run down of the drama in your family, or one-up everything he says with something fantastic about you. Try asking him a few questions. Guys love talking about themselves and knowing that a girl is interested in knowing about them. There will be a time to tell him everything about you but that time doesn’t need to be now. At the bar. When you’ve just met him ten minutes ago.

Facebook Stalker. The biggest mistake of all time can be avoided by simply limiting the amount of time you spend creeping on Facebook. Do not make a picture of you two lovebirds your profile picture before he does. Do not wall rape him (a.k.a. fill up his whole entire wall with embarrassing posts), and don’t change your status to anything with his name in it before you’re sure things are official. Especially do not, I repeat DO NOT, add any of his ex-girlfriends. That’s just creepy with a capital “CREEP.”

These points are the big no-no’s that can make or break a relationship. You’re probably reading them thinking “I would never do anything like that!”…but just wait, you will. All I ask of you is to make sure you have your man wrapped around your finger before you set your inner-freak free. Then, and only then, will he love you for it.